Kia Motors America has unveiled the long-anticipated 2-door variant of the Forte at the New York International Auto Show today. Recalling the KOUP Concept that made its debut last year, the Forte KOUP is another striking design by the Korean automaker. Up front, the Koup receives a more aggressive design, featuring a bespoke front end with a larger lower intake and more vertical side intakes. At the rear are wider and thinner taillights with a larger rear fascia and dual exhaust tips.
Available in two trim levels, the Forte Koup EX is powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, producing 156 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque that features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection. The SX features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, also with CVVT, which delivers 173 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque. EX models are mated to a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. SX models feature a standard six-speed manual or an optional five-speed automatic.
Inside the Forte Koup features standard sport seats, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry and cruise control, and a leather package is an option on both models. Other standard features include voice-activated Bluetooth, a 6-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with SIRIUS, and USB/AUX inputs. Standard safety features include six airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).